A meta-analysis of risk factors that predict psychopathology following accidental trauma.

PURPOSE

This meta-analysis aimed to explore the risk factors that place a child at risk of psychopathology following accidental trauma.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The predictive power of 8 factors was examined via transforming and combining the effect sizes to yield a weighted average effect size for each factor.

RESULTS

The results indicated that the majority of effect sizes, although significant, were inconsistent across the studies, yielding little conclusive evidence. However, pretrauma psychopathology and threat to life were strong and consistent predictors.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Information gathered from such meta-analyses could be used in the identification of at-risk children and the development of screening tools. However, further widespread and comprehensive reviews of the potential risk factors and their relationships to psychopathology need to be investigated.